Accession No. of Collection pox Number 103 * Folder date coyfSoy 190 Sept. and JOHN EDGAR HOOVER fg binseror Federal Burent nf Inbostigation HS, Depurtsent of Bustice fon, B.C. March 19, 1936. MEMORANDUK FOR THE ATOR Re: REGEN? DEVELOPHENTS IN HIGHLY-POUERED PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS Reference is made to ny memorandum to you dated Fobruny 5, 1936, in hich I described in detail the recent developuents in highly- porered sidearas. Your perticular attention is directed to puge 2, paragreph 2 of the memorandum of reference, in which I edvised you that I anti- cipated that the qualities of the Hagnum certridge and the zine bullet would eventually be coubined, thereby again increusing the velocity end penetretive obility of sidearns and their ammunition. Please be advised that this Bureau is now in receipt of in- formation which cubstontiates thet anticipation. The information ic to the effect that experiaentotion is et the preeent time in progress whereby the combination of the zinc bullet and the Hegmm cartridge will soon be perfected. Meo, that the Megnun cartridge will soon be anufsctured with o metal jacket, which will again increise its penetvative force. The ebove inforastion is of a confidential natur and if divulged to tho wublic, would seriously jeopardize the possibility of obtaining edditional information. Tt apperrs thet there now exists 2 coupetitive rece between the leading firecrns end cartridge manufecturers in the United States to develop the highest velocity cartridge possible for use in pistols and revolvers. is suggested in the memorandum of reference, the eventur] outcome of such competition can not_he foreseen. It should be borne in nind, however, thet euch advance in velocity and penetration renders hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment now in use by lux enforce- nent egoneles useless and obsolete. lay I s1s0 call to your uttentior the fact that these developnents will eventually be of much grevter ecsistence to the criminal element than to the lew enforcenent agencies or to the lew abiding citizens. this digital image is housed in: Special Collections } University of Virginia Library No further copies can be made. Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110Memo for the Attorney General, ONLY ADVANTAGE IS PrImTRATION It is a recognized fact that the most effective pistol bullet to fire ob e human being is the one exerting the greatest amount of shock. This quality is developed by conbining a heavy bullet with low velocity, which accomplishes its end ty remaining in the body at which it was fired, thus causing the recipient to absorb the entire energy of the bullet. This is more clearly understood when 1t is roalired thnt when @ high velocity bullet having 500 pounds energy passes through 2 body and energes with sufficient velocity to exert 250 pounds energy on a second object, the body into which it ws originally fired has only obsorbed approxinately half of the entire energy of the bullet, or 250 pounds, Therefore, only half of the total energy hes been utilized and the other half rasted or permitted to pane on end jeopardize other per sons. Tt is true that with extremely high velocity bullets, there ic an explosive reaction which takes place in flesh, which will not be dis- cussed here due to the feet thet at the present writing at least, it only occurs to a narked degree through the use of rifle cartridges. The foregoing description of shock is brought to your attention so thet it moy be more clearly realized that the recent developments in pistol and revolver cartridges are not of ary porticular cdvantege, othor: than for their penetrative force, which the higher velocities are rapidly increasing. It ip interesting to note that a representative of a cone which namufuclures bullet-proof vents and shields recently cdvised that ‘all the equipment which that concern hap fold in the pest has recent); becone obsolete, and attempts will be nade to veinforee such equipment so that adequate protection can be afforded customers vho now ov it. 4 similer matter of concern is the fact that the bullet-proof vests ard shields owned by this Buresu will not withstand either the Hagmm cartridge or the zinc bullet and obviously are extremely in- effective in co far as the contemplated metal patch or sine bulict in ‘the Magnum cartridge are concornod. SHOOSING CLUBS AND JITGH VELOCTIY snsqunrrtoN It is not believed that menbers of the various shooting elubs and orgenizations vould concern thenselves over a curtailnent of highly- povered sidearms. Additional penetration is of no value to taryet shoot— ing, ond it is logical to accune thet orgonizations pronoting this sport would be in hearty accord with legisistion curtailing high velocity bullets in an attempt to insure their menbers the continied use of target. — ‘the original in this digital image is housed Special Collections University of Virginia Library No further copies can be made. Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-0110Memo for the Mtorney General HOW LIMITATTONS CaN BE DEFINED fis the menacing developments of these guns depend wholly upon the bresch pressure and velocity, it would not be difficult to definitely define a limitation on these tvo items which vowld permanently control the rapid advonces now being nede. If you so desire, techniciune of thie Bureau will offer specific suggestions retcbivc terete. ley I respectfully suggest that you consider referring these facts to the approprinte House Committee for such legisletive action as nay be deoued GRREBIe ey be deoucd _advisal Respectfully, \ 5 Bearer Hoover, —— Special Collections University of Virginia Library Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110